Indie duo capture the heart By Adrienne Co-copy editor and entertainment editor “Glen Hansard” and “Marketa Irglova” may not be household names… yet. Hansard, a member of the Irish band The Frames, and Irglova, a classically trained Czech vocalist and pianist, compose one of the most powerful new groups in the indie genre today: The Swell Season. The indie music extraordinaires recently returned to the music scene with the release of their new album “Strict Joy.” The album blends the folksy, free-spirited vocals and guitar stylings of Hansard with the gentle, lullaby-like piano tunes and crooning of Irglova. The result is a stunning record every avid indie follower should have in his or her personal collection. Several songs in particular play in a way most delightful to the ears. “Fantasy Man” brings out Irglova’s delicate voice over a tranquil, bluesy tune. “High Horse” captures the listener in a slow, poppy mix that displays the strength of the vocals and instrumentals of both musical geniuses. Glen Hansard shines in “Back Brokek” with his raspy, fluid treble. Indie lovers may also want to look back into Hansard’s and Irglova’s recent past for more works by the musicians. In 2006, the pair released a musically driven movie called Once and an Academy Award-winning soundtrack to accompany it. The Broadway musical production of Once also begins early next year. From Once to the Swell Season and hopefully to many other endeavors, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova deserve nothing less than the utmost respect, attention, and praise from any person considering himself or herself to possess eclectic taste in the indie genre.
By Adrienne
Co-copy editor and entertainment editor
“Glen Hansard” and “Marketa Irglova” may not be household names… yet.
Hansard, a member of the Irish band The Frames, and Irglova, a classically trained Czech vocalist and pianist, compose one of the most powerful new groups in the indie genre today: The Swell Season.
The indie music extraordinaires recently returned to the music scene with the release of their new album “Strict Joy.” The album blends the folksy, free-spirited vocals and guitar stylings of Hansard with the gentle, lullaby-like piano tunes and crooning of Irglova. The result is a stunning record every avid indie follower should have in his or her personal collection.
Several songs in particular play in a way most delightful to the ears. “Fantasy Man” brings out Irglova’s delicate voice over a tranquil, bluesy tune. “High Horse” captures the listener in a slow, poppy mix that displays the strength of the vocals and instrumentals of both musical geniuses. Glen Hansard shines in “Back Brokek” with his raspy, fluid treble.
Indie lovers may also want to look back into Hansard’s and Irglova’s recent past for more works by the musicians. In 2006, the pair released a musically driven movie called Once and an Academy Award-winning soundtrack to accompany it. The Broadway musical production of Once also begins early next year.
From Once to the Swell Season and hopefully to many other endeavors, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova deserve nothing less than the utmost respect, attention, and praise from any person considering himself or herself to possess eclectic taste in the indie genre.